As we come up to the holidays, it’s a bittersweet reminder that my arms are empty, yet full. My life this year feels like it has been an up and down, with more downs than up’s. I have wished for things, prayed for things, and come to realize a multitude of things about me, where God wants me and how I am to follow his will.
Yesterday, December 1st 2016 on my way to work I was listening to a sermon on the radio. It was on contentment, the preacher talked about how no matter where we are, God calls us to be content. When Paul was in Prison he was preaching to the guards and encouraging them according to God’s will. I want you to let that sink in. Picture yourself as Paul, appointed by Jesus to go out into the world to teach, preach and bring people to a strong belief in God. If that was me, and Jesus appointed me to do that, and I ended up in prison I would be like, “hey God, don’t you love me enough to get me out of here so I can go out and do what you want me to do? Isn’t sitting in jail the opposite of what I am suppose to be doing for you.”
Instead Paul, was content where he was at, he knew that God had a plan and he was exactly where he was suppose to be. How reassuring for us!! No matter what your desires, dreams, expectations God has us where we are suppose to be. I know I have struggled in the past, if I could only make more money, If I could only get a better job, If I could only move to a new area, If I could only update my house, If I could only… The list could go on forever. Everyone has something that they wish they could do, to make them happy or content. But, right now in whatever your circumstances BE CONTENT WITH WEHRE GOD HAS YOU! Thank him everyday for everything you have.
Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
One of the greatest things I have learned this year, (the hard way I will tell you) is that our sufferings bring us the greatest gifts from God. It is so very true, suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character HOPE. Hope for tomorrow, hope for our future, hope for our children, and hope that we will some day live in Glory with Christ. Paul knew this, he was suffering, but with perseverance the preached to the guards and built a wonderful example of character for us to follow, with his wonderful character he has hope. Not just hope of dying and going to live with God in Glory, but also to get out of prison. In Philemon 1, he writes “I do wish, brother that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of you obedience, I write to you knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers”.
Paul had hope in his suffering, and so should we!
My hope comes from the Lord, and I am working on being content. Yesterday it was a constant prayer, struggle of mine to accept where I was at and know that God is almighty and he knows what he is doing. Many of you know that I am scheduled to have a hysterectomy on Dec 21st, this year. I felt that I was completely at peace with this decision. Rachel was a blessing, a surprise and a beautiful gift, and just because she gets to sit with the Lord in Glory does not mean I need to try for another child. This decision in one that has been made by my husband and I, God and my doctor, in that order. I have been suffering with side effects of endometriosis for the past 6 years, and they are getting worse, that coupled with headaches and our family being content with how it sits, a hysterectomy is best. However God has a sense of humor and likes to remind me that I need to keep looking to him for direction. As I was now one week late with my period. Hearing that sermon about contentment made me think long and hard about what I was doing, what happens if I am pregnant, and what I want vs what God wants. I want this surgery, I want to be done. I want to get a “normal” life back. But so did Paul. Oh man, Lord why do you have to make this so difficult. This was my constant struggle, yesterday and this morning. Ok Lord, if I am to be pregnant again, it will be because you have a purpose, and your purpose is greater than my desires. I don’t want to be, I want a break a break from the heartache and sufferings of losing Rachel, I want to be free of my almost constant pain. All I can say is that I am no matter what, going to be content in whatever circumstance God has in store for me. Truly Truly content. Saying and believing that in my core has given me peace. I think God gives us little trials on a daily level to keep us on our toes. I am not pregnant, I started my period about 10 min before writing this, but it was God’s way of showing me how wonderful he is, as well as assuring me that this is his plan for my life as well.
Be content, Love God and talk to him daily!
Allison
A Hope Filled Life 